The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-20
LABOR INTERESTS.
The Situation at Chicago-A Proposition to
Resort to Heroic Treatment.

The Situation at ChicagO-A proposition Co
Resort to Heroic Treatment.
CHICAGO. May 19.-Nearly all the large brick
manufacturers have needed the request to close
down their yards. This action the part OF
the manufacturers relegates to enforced idle
ness nearly seven thousand employees, together
with 100 attendant teamsters. The men insist
that the new machinery. capable of turning out
$1,000 brick day. shall be run so to decrease
the supply by one-third. The capital sunk in
the improved machinery 10 thus rendered I'M
profitable. The wages paid this class of labor
will average So day. which the bosses would
increase were they allowed to run the machinery
to its full capacity but they declare they are re-
solved to remain idle until the rules of the
union lose their present arbitrary character.
The gossip concerning the prosecution of the
bosses for conspiracy has not taken definite
form as yet
There is some dissa tisfaction among the
smaller contractors, who members of the
Master Builders Association, account of the
order stopping all work They claim that they
will suffer great loss through their inability to
finish work at stipulated time.
A bold plan Of campaign to settle the building
trades lockout by June i, and strike a memor-
able blow at trades unionIsm was set on foot here
this afternoon. At a conference of delegates
from every building interest in Chicago. with
representatives present from the Illinois Archi-
tects' Association. the Chicago Real Estate Board
and kindred bodies, the members of which en-
p,oy, altogether, probably fifty thousand work
from this time forth the ignature of the follow
ing card of principles by the employe be made q
universal condition of employment by all the
building interests of Chicago:
/ recognize the right of every man to decide for
himself without dictation interference. when he
shall work to work: where he shall work; for
whom he shall work. how many hours he shall work.
and for what wages he shall work.
recognize the absolute right of the employer to de-
whom he shall employ TO employ; to regulate
and his business with perfect Independence and
freedom, provided only that he shall deal lawfully,
justly and honorably with all men.
recognize the right of every father to have his son
taught and of every learn. any lawful trade
plane with his right to a knowledge of reading,
be subject to regulation only by the laws of the land
hereby pledge myself. in all of my relations and
intercourse with my employers and fellow workmen,
to maintain and live up to these principles.
There was no debate on the adoption OF this
measure, and the action enthusia stically
unanimous, but a general discussion spiang up
when it was proposed that the same card of
principles be presented for signature to every
employer, with the pledge thereto changed as
follows:
1 hereby pledge myself to maintain and live up to
these principles in the prosecution OF my business
and to lend my aid. to the full extent of influence
amongst my fellow-employers further pledge my
self not to employ any workman except upon his sig
nature of this card of principles.
When it was stated that the pledge meant the
discharge of every workman who did not sign
the required card, numerous objections were
raised, especially by contracting pasterers.
penters and stone-cutters who are getting along
peaceably with their men and expecting 10
trouble. All objections were met with the re-
ply that the card contained nothing not euaran-
teed by the Constitution of the United States
and that the country had got tired of being
shackeled by the labor unions. At length a
tacit understanding was reached that the pledges
should be voted upon by the delegates individ-
ualy they then to go to their associations and
urge its ratification. The pledge was thereupon
adopted unanimously.
A meeting of the Master Carpenters Assoca-
ton was held tonight. The members promptly
wheeled into line with the plan of campaign by
adopting resolutions pledging the association to
support the card of principles.